The Crimson King

[Joey Flash]

“With great pain comes great opportunity,
You will bend before me, give me your unity.
I will have you, I must have you,
One of the two, either will do.
It’s time for War, let’s begin,
Oh won’t you just let me in?”

Last of his line

The tension was palpable and the silence spoke volumes and the coldness emanating from the room was enough to flash freeze a solar flare. Joseph Malignaggi and Alessandra Allegri sat opposite each other, a half-eaten breakfast in front of each of them. The pair had barely seen each other for the past few days, this is the first time they sat down together. She had prepared breakfast, eggs sunny side up just how he liked it. She had attempted arranging the food into a smiley face; he either didn’t notice or didn’t care. Joey let his knife and fork clink loudly to the plate in a definitive statement that he was done with breakfast.

Alessandra: So what do you want to do?

It was the first time either of them had spoken. Joey took a while before speaking in a hushed voice.

Joey: What’s the point?

Alessandra understood his pain; she had been trying to do anything and everything this past week. She had about ten different ways to attack and solve this problem in her head, but none of them worked. The man who was full of love and care was now a walking void. His bright eyes were dark and sullen as he shifted his gaze toward her, his previous clean cut appearance had slipped by the wayside, he hadn’t shaved, he barely washed this week and was ornately adorned in sweat pants and a three day old food stained top.

Alessandra: Is this it then?

Joey: What’s ‘it’? What’s ‘it’ Alessandra?

Alessandra: Us.

Joey took a while before he responded, he balled his fist.

Joey: I fucking HATE you.

That hit home, that was Bonds in the bottom of the ninth over the wall and into the bay. She couldn’t respond.

Joey: I hate you with every fibre of my being. Just looking at you makes me ill. Fucking look at you, you don’t even care.

She sat with her hair pristinely thrown to one side, garbed in a silken robe. Her day old mani/pedi happily displayed that very fact.

Alessandra: I care.

Joey: I’ve barely seen you, this is the first time, the first fucking time we’ve sat down together since…since…yeah, and you’re more interested in everything else in life than this.

Alessandra: That’s not true.

Joey: It’s not true? Who do you think you are speaking to?

Alessandra: The love of my life.

This only angered Joey further.

Joey: Really? ‘Hello, I’m the most prolific liar you know, please trust me’, go fuck yourself.

Alessandra: It’s the truth.

Joey: You wouldn’t know that word if it slapped you round the fuckin face…

He sat down and sagged his head into his hands.

Joey: Why, why couldn’t you have just…just shut the fuck up…

He looked at her and his sadness bore right through her body and ran a shiver up her spine.

Joey: We were, what, a month away? I had my entire life planned in my head, I had all our future set, where we’d live, how we’d spend our Sunday mornings, holidays…we were meant to be together forever Alessandra. I love…I loved you, you were the only person in this world I felt I could trust, I could rely on, I could put anything aside for you, well, at least I thought so. Why’d you have to do it huh? Why couldn’t you just have shut the fuck up, why did you have to ruin everything, I wouldn’t have cared, it’s true you know. Ignorance IS bliss.

He was close to breaking point, she could tell. She could have done anything in this situation, thousands of actions and their outcomes ran through her head as she stood up and approached him, each one had their positives and negatives, each one benefited her. Yet the overriding thought that was slamming through her mind, through her body manifested the thought as she wrapped her arms around him and embraced him.

Alessandra: I’m sorry.

Joey: No…

Alessandra: I’m sorry.

Joey tried to shrug her off, but it was weak and uncommitted.

Alessandra: I am sorry for everything Joseph. Everything I’ve ever done has been for you, for us. You’re a good man, maybe too good. I can’t change the past, I can’t change the things I’ve done, all I can do is try to make it up to you. Whether that is together or apart I will always be there for you, I understand your feelings, maybe I AM a monster, maybe I’m not meant for a life with someone else but when I look at you, when you hold me in your arms I feel…well, I feel. That’s the most amazing experience I have ever had in my life and I am sorry, see even now I’m being selfish.

She laughed, she didn’t know why.

Joey: Get off me.

She broke her hug and he stood up, brushing his hair from his face. He ran his sleeve across his nose to clear his face of the snot then dabbed at his cheeks to free himself for the tear stains.

Joey: You killed them.

Alessandra: Yes. I killed them, that was six years ago. You have slept by my side countless times since then; you have cuddled me, made love to me and professed your feelings toward me. These facts do not change.

Joey: Stop it.

Alessandra: Stop what? Telling the truth? I thought that’s what this was?

Joey: Stop.

Alessandra: Is that not what this is about? I’m opening up to you Joseph, what’s wrong? Are you angry, are you scared?

Joey: Just stop it.

Alessandra: So Joseph, you asked what the point was? The point is that I love you, that won’t stop, that won’t die no matter what happens from hereon. I’m not telling you this for any other reason than it’s the truth, and that’s where we’re at.

Both of them were silent for over a minute, Alessandra watched as Joey processed everything. She felt her stomach tighten as he began to speak.

Joey: I hate you. I can’t forgive you. You’ve done things that damn near ruined my fuckin life, you saved my body but condemned my fuckin soul. You’re the most evil, manipulative person I’ve ever met, even now I have no idea what game you’re playing or what you’re trying to get out of this situation…

She only wanted one thing, and Joey gave it to her.

Joey: …but I can’t live without you.

Alessandra was stunned.

Joey: Set a date.

Alessandra: W-what?

Joey: Just let me fucking cope for a month, please?

Alessandra: I don’t-

Joey: This is not easy for me Alessandra, how could it be? How could anyone…I dunno, just, just let me…

He turned to her.

Joey: I love you, I don’t know if I can cope with this, I don’t know whether I can even stand to be in the same fucking room as you, but I want to give it a chance. I don’t want to throw you away. Just, just give me time.

He brushed past without even looking at her.

Joey: I’m going away for a while, is that okay?

Alessandra: Whatever you need, Joseph what do you mean-

Joey: I mean, fuck...sort the fucking wedding out.

With that he left the room, and her life for the next month. She sat in stunned silence for the next few moments. This was the one outcome she truly had not calculated for, was Joseph planning something? In truth, even if he was she didn’t care at all. She began the planning of the Malignaggi-Allegri wedding, the marriage that would bind Sicily and the East Coast together in harmony and allow the Allegri family a true home in the States, the day where both their lives would change, the day where dreams would come true, little did any of them know that the weekend of the 26th of September 2015 is the time where the world of Joseph Malignaggi would be engulfed entirely by flame.



Man in Black

Then, he was away from her. The hardest thing he had to do was tell his son that he wouldn’t be able to see him for a while; the little boy had clung like a limpet to his leg and cried for almost an hour. Was this the right thing to do? Was leaving Christian alone with Alessandra the right thing to do? His stomach churned with the possibilities and outcomes, the only outcome Joey wanted from this whole thing was peace. The plane journey was uneventful; at least it would have been if you weren’t an ardent WCF fan. Sat on the commercial airplane destined for Las Vegas, Nevada in the very annoying position of commercial class sat your WCF Tag Team Champions Joey Flash and yep, Jonny Fly.

Fly: I hate this.

Joey: Leg room is shit and what the fuck but-

Fly: No. This.

Fly pointed at the sleeping obese man next to him, drool running down his face, back and stomach fat draped over the arm rest. His girth put ‘Billy’ to shame.

Fly: I feel like punching him. Should I punch him?

Joey: You’d get us thrown off.

Fly: Thrown off what? The fucking plane? ‘Here guys have a parachute, you’re no longer welcome!’ Don’t be stupid; what possible repercussion do I have for punching this guy?

Joey: Maybe he shrugs it off and beats you senseless.

Fly: Yeah, that’ll happen….I’m doing it.

Joey: Don’t-

Fly: Too late.

Fly had already angled himself to blast the poor sleeping fatty in the face, the punch connects with an ALMIGHTY thwack, we can see the man wake up from the shock, spasm a bit, then be put straight back to sleep with the power of the punch, he slumps even further across now onto the lap of Fly.

Fly: Are you fucking KIDDING me?

By the time Fly can react, Joey had already taken a picture of the man’s unconscious head draped across the crotch of Fly and uploaded it to instagram under the title ‘Jonny Fly joins the Mile High Club!’ @cameraflash

Fly: Cute. Very fucking cute.

He shoves the man off him and the chublord flops onto the floor, still unconscious.

Joey: Relax motherfucker we’ll be there soon.

The moment Joey had mentioned going to Nevada, Fly had been straight to tag along. He couldn’t possibly pass up gambling drugs and hookers. What sane man could? Beating up a fat motherfucker for no reason at all during the trip? Icing bitches, give me that icing.

Joey: So, you lost.

Fly: Yeah…

They shared a solemn stare at the ground.

Fly: How much did we make?

Joey: 3.4 million.

Jonny Fly laughs, he fucking chortles like a motherfucker.

Fly: Why does this scheme always work?

Joey: Idiot fans?

Fly: First Adam Young now Theodore Sunshine? Wow. We fucking suck!

Joey: We EXTRAVAGANTLY WITH LOTS OF MONEY fucking suck.

Fly: That was the point; you didn’t need to add more.

Joey: I felt it needed more oomph.

Fly: We’ve got the tag titles on lock anyway, that shit is going absolutely fuckin nowhere. ‘The Thickness’ are retired? ‘The Thickness’ are fuckin cowards. I’d beat both of them at once, Joey would beat both of them at once, it’s not rocket science what that match would be. Ouch, fuckin ouch. In case you are wondering about me people, I am going absolutely nowhere. You give me a challenge I deem worthwhile? I’m there; you want a dance with us for the tag titles? I’m there. Maybe I’ll fight in War, maybe I’ll whip all of these no marks with ease, what should I do?

Joey: Go fuck yourself?

Fly: That’s right, I’ll win War.

Joey: Jonny…

Fly: Joey…

The pair share a look, a longing, intense stare.

Fly/Joey: Shut the fuck up.

They smile.

Fly: Are we betting on this next match of yours?

Joey: No.

Fly: Why? You’re a big favourite, make use of that shit.

Joey: I want to beat this guy.

Fly snorts with derision.

Fly: But he’s shit.

Joey: Yeah but-

Fly: He’s not just shit, he’s absolutely fucking terrible. What on earth Joe?

Joey: Hang on, he’s shit but I want HIM to know it. Taking a dive would do nothing for us.

Fly: Except make us money.

Joey: Hang on a minute-

Fly: Adam Young. Teo Del Sol. Come on man. Just add Gemini Battle to that list-

Joey: No. Look you don’t understand. I’ve faced this guy like a billion fucking times, I’ve damn near bodied him every time, I need to end it, I need to end this shit.

Fly: Fine, shoot.

Joey: You sure?

Fly: Yep, kill this guy.

Joey: How kind. We don’t start off slow here; we go for the fucking jugular. Gemini Battle, I own you, I crush you, I fucking destroy you. You have never once come close to dissecting me, to getting even with me, certainly never close to beating me. Here we have it Gemini, lets end this shit right now. It’s a one on one match, finally. I could have asked and I could have begged and I wouldn’t have gotten a match that I would have enjoyed more than this. This is the opportunity to finally vanquish the ghost of Gemini Battle from my life forever. In every other match we have faced each other there has always been a third party, a fourth party, whatever.
 
It’s never been Joey Flash vs Gemini Battle one on one, mano a mano. This time though? You’re going to come into this match full of confidence and thinking that you’re going to break me down and strut away with the win, you’re going to leave a broken shell of a man who finally knows what he is in the ring with. I’ve played with you, I’ve placated you, I’ve made you think you have a chance. All through the fun talk of Flash and Battle it seems like I genuinely view you as threat, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

You are one of the worst wrestlers in this federation, not straight up, but weighing hype against talent best believe you’re the fucking shits. Is it sinking in to you yet Gemini? This match isn’t some kind of even contest that you can perhaps perform well in and wander away with a victory. This is a fucking death march and you’re perfectly in step right now. Your weak ass has staggered right into my trap. I’ve been playing with the federation since I arrived here; everything has bent to my will. It’s been hilarious, the past coupla months we’ve been hearing people question why I’m getting the match with Dune, why is Joey Flash highly rated? Then oh shit, Joey Flash decides to fuckin show why. I’ve beaten Teo Del Sol, John Gable and Zombie McMorris back to back, clean. I’m here to prove why I’m the best wrestler in the business. Why no one can even hold a candle to me. It’s not rocket science; you don’t need the fucking ‘BATTLE DOME’ or whatever bullshit place you had when you were a billionaire to decipher that. Watch a tape of me in the ring, watch a tape of yourself. Night and fucking day. Watch me body you, watch me destroy you, watch me outclass you, night and fucking day.

The problem with this scenario is your perspective. You seem to treat this as a great 50/50 battle, a match of the ages, a clash of the titans, a fight of the century. Well, go you Gemini, to you this is the most important fight of your life, this is the time you redeem yourself and prove you’re not just a pathetic worthless puppet of Thomas Bates. To me? It’s another random Sunday in September.

Joey smiles.

Joey: I could kill you in so many ways. You are one of the most open opportune targets in the federation, how should I kill you Gemini? This shit is like the Matrix cos one call will make you disappear.

Let’s get it POPPIN Gemini, that’s what you’re waiting for, time to ether this bum. Question session.

1) Why are you in the Dark Riders Gang?
2) Why do you feel Thomas Bates deserves to be your boss?
3) Why has everyone worthwhile in the DRG gotten their opportunity at the World Title except the one person who carried the load and was the most influential and important wrestler during the Trio’s cup and from then on?

There is no 4) because I think 3) deserves a fucktonne more of discussion. How’d you let them do you like that Gemini huh? The psychopath, the self-centred egomaniac taking it in the ass from Thomas Bates and Gonzo Murdock, please sir I want one more. You are a pathetic, weak faggot who lacks confidence and social awareness. You’re great in that squared circle, yet in your friendship circle you’re nothing but a square. Oh poor Gemini, am I bodying you without even trying? Is this sad for you, is this making you regret this match?

See I’d give the viewers a history lesson about your career, but they don’t give a fuck about you enough to care, so rather than that I’m just going to tell them everything they need to know about the best that never was, Gemini Battle.

This man appeared in the federation a whelp and rapscallion…

He won a match or two, then got bodied by Joey Flash.

He won another match or two, then got bodied by Joey Flash.

He fluked a win over Joey Flash…then got bodied by Joey Flash.

How does the story go in this installment, does he get bodied by Joey Flash or get bodied by Joey Flash? Fans, pick your poison! Either way it’s death to the clown, off with his fuckin head. Let’s discuss careers shall we? I’m a bonafide main event superstar, I’m the best wrestler in the company, you? Well, you could be anywhere on the card and people wouldn’t care. You’re filler at best. The fact you’re facing me here today is a testament to that fact, this match isn’t meant to test me or bring out the best in me. It’s meant as an easy win.

Doesn’t that hurt your competitive soul Gemini? Doesn’t that make you sad? Doesn’t that make you mad? You’ve been thrown to me not because of the competition you give me, but because of the LACK of it, you are such a given of a win that you become…worthless.

So, how does it feel to be in this position?

Fly: I’d imagine pretty shit.

We haven’t forgotten, Fly is still here.

Fly: So, it’s over can I go to sleep yet?

Joey: What do you think?

Fly: That this is another one of those lame ‘Oh I’m nowhere near finished’ things.

Joey: How did you know?

Fly taps his temple, then Flashes.

Fly: Connection bro.

Joey: Connection, something Gemini Battle can never create with the audience. He tries and tries. From ‘We Fear Gemini’ to ‘DIE GEMINI DIE’ it wouldn’t even matter to this guy, any reaction is good reaction thinks this guy. How is the hate treating you? How is the resounding animosity toward the DRG treating you? People jeer me, people boo me, but people fucking HATE you. I’m ‘Fuck you Flash’ you’re ‘Cena sucks!’, people don’t hate you because of who you are, it’s much much worse. People hate you because you’re fucking boring.

You’ve been bland from day one and haven’t changed up since, you offer nothing new and original for the fans to rally behind, so should they cheer you? Is that even what you want anymore? You flip flop every other fucking day. It gets tedious and boring, oh hey it’s Gemini Battle’s favourite two words. Tedious Boring would make such a better well suited name for you ya fuckin scrub.

You come into this match with a victory over KL Henson, yet, how much of a victory was it? He destroyed your mind, your ideals and your vision; you’ve stepped out of that match with a broken mind Gemini. I’m going to go one better and add a broken body to the mix.

So Gemini, you want to know how good I am? You wanna know why my level is beyond all others? I’ve already killed you, I’ve bodied you, so much so it’s not even funny…and I’ve not even mentioned Grayson Pierce once…

Joey smiles.

Joey: …and I won’t mention him again. I ain’t fighting him I’m fighting Gemini Battle. Gemini Battle is the guy who is supposed to be my rival, supposed to be the guy I’ve had all the tussles with, I’ve bodied this guy so many times it’s getting boring, but I’m gonna overkill this bitch right now. I’ll kill this guy’s split personalities so bad they’ll split a fuckin second time. Weak ass bitch, you can’t cope with real life so you create a shield and a barrier in ya mind to help you out, how cute, that shield won’t help you one bit when you’re cornered, thrashed and beaten by a superior wrestler on Sunday.

We’re two different kinds of wrestler Gemini; this is the reason why the difference in our abilities is so stark. This is my craft, this is my foundation, this is my hobby, and this is my job. To you it’s a sideshow so you can let off steam and let the anger boil over, you use this shit, I abuse this shit. You’re like a kid in a backyard throwing his first hip toss to his friend; I’m already at the pinnacle of professionalism. You’re the kid trying to influence people, gain followers and prestige when he’s ignorant of the very path he’s walking, sure you’re able to convince those even more self-absorbed and blind than yourself but in the real world? In the world where Joey Flash exists? You’re Huey from the Boondocks; I’m Huey Newton from the fuckin rooftops.

You’ve been slogging away for the past few months trying to wash the stench of DRG failure from yourself, all the fame has gone, all the fortune has gone, all the promise has been snuffed the fuck out. What happened? Weren’t you supposed to be the next great stable? Weren’t you supposed to be the ones controlling the federation now? I said it then and I say it now, you were never good, you were never dominant, you were simply…lucky. A blind squirrel found three nuts in a row and managed against all odds to win Trios, and then got gunned the fuck down when it tried to repeat its success.

Gonzo challenged the heavens, failed.

Bates challenged the heavens, failed even more pathetically.

Now it’s your turn, you get your shot Gemini, you get to face one of the two men who are borderline invincible in this business, how’s this going to go for you? You probably have some delusions that this is merely a step to the World Title, well spoiler alert; this IS the final fucking boss for you. There is nothing after this, there is no redemption for the Dark Riders, you defiled our logic long enough with your half-baked success and this is going to be a reality check that brings you crashing to earth.

Whenever you get a small amount of success, Joey Flash is there.

Whenever you win a title, Joey Flash is there.

Whenever you feel like you’re ready to progress in your career, Joey Flash is there.

Do you ever get the feeling when you get booked against me that you’re the only one on the outside of an inside joke? It’s a running gag, whenever your career gains any momentum they throw you a stick of dynamite disguised as a bone in Joey Flash and I derail everything you’ve worked hard to try and accomplish. You got unlucky Gemini, the fates, or a drunken guy from Philly, decided that you would be the ‘go to match’ when Joey Flash is ever stuck for an opponent. Wanna know what that means for you? It means you’re in Washington Generals territory; you’ve got fellow clowns betting on you like ‘BUT I THOUGHT GEMINI WAS DUE!!!’

Fly: I told you, let’s bet on this guy, for real.

Joey: You can’t be a remote threat to me when your single biggest success was getting a ‘draw’. That’s a fact. I’m defined by my victories, an all-conquering wrestling machine when I step between the ropes, but you? You tied with Dune, that’s your claim to fame. That’s like that fat guy’s claim to fame being he got knocked the fuck out by Jonny Fly. I bet when you’re telling that story of your great victory, sorry, draw, to your grandchildren Dune will be ten feet tall, spit fire and ‘you almost had him beat!’ right? Fuckin bitch. Yet another difference that separates Joey Flash and Gemini Battle, you’re happy with mediocrity, you’re happy with just tying the World Champion. I think that’s the single most pathetic and abhorrent attitude someone aspiring to be great can ever think to have. I’m going to walk right through you Battle, I’m going to walk right through you then I’m going to walk right through Dune. There is no room for doubt, no room for lack of confidence, no room for lack of fucking talent at the top. This is why you don’t belong, and why I reign imperious as the day I arrived.

The world is a sideshow to what is going to happen at WAR, only three things in this federation matter, Joey Flash, Dune and the WCF World Championship. You are a bit part player in the opening act of the greatest and most epic battle in WCF history, hey maybe that’s some other failure to tell your grandkids about. You are not even on my radar right now Gemini, yet I’m not going lightly on you, I’m not taking you as a guaranteed win (even though you are), I am going into the match the same way I do every single match fully focused and fully prepared to send what’s left of ya mind spraying against the fuckin canvas.

You’re following up the biggest, most heartfelt and touching win of your entire wresting career by getting absolutely smashed in the match straight after. You’re no psychopath you’re just fucking insane, defined by your constant challenging and losing to one Joseph of Flash. So go home, tell your son you managed to conquer the evil KL Henson, you won’t tell him about how badly you get humiliated this Sunday though, you’ll hide all the tapes, but the bruises on your face and the destruction of your spirit and pride will speak volumes about how you in no way shape or form could ever come close to conquering the best in the business.

What’s next for Gemini Battle? Will he continue to main event status? Will he rise up and finally break through that wall to unleash all his ‘potential’? The return of the spoiler alert, answer: no. His path starts and ends with Joey Flash, this match was over the moment my name was slid next to yours, same way it is for everyone else in the federation. It doesn’t mean you’re a terrible wrestler, it doesn’t mean you’re not in some way skilled, all it means is you are worse than Joey Flash, a trait shared by every other member of this roster. You can achieve all you want in this company, you can win and win, you can conquer feuds and win titles but the one thing you will never ever do is beat Joey Flash one on one. So enjoy the moments before the match where the hope and adrenalin are carrying you in a euphoric high into the match, cos boy you’re gonna need all the fuckin help it gets to deal with the pain and sadness that comes after what I do to you.

DRG, all absolute horse shit. This is the final chapter of the shitty one dollar book called ‘So DRG, they thought they were good’, you all tried, you all failed, enjoy choking each other while you masturbate over your Trios win. I’m closing the short passage called ‘Gemini Battle’s career’ with one simple line, and it’s all it’s going to take to beat you on Sunday.

‘Joey Flash fucking owns you.’

I tried putting this guy in a bodybag about ten times already but each time it unzipped itself and shoved his wack ass out like ‘Ugh get off me you bum’. This time I end you for real, no excuses and no second chances after this. Fuck off back to mediocrity and never dare to challenge me again you pathetic talentless hack of a wrestler. Die slow.

Next to Joey, Fly is beginning to tear up, he wipes his eyes.

Joey: Damn, that powerful huh?

Fly: No.

Joey: What then?

Fly: It moved me.

Joey: Huh?

He glances down at his crotch where the fat man’s head is sprawled.

Fly: No, you don't understand, it…moved…me.

Fly rips the phone away from Joey who is fumbling to take another picture.

Fly: I understand how awkward this may seem, how angry and uncomfortable a man less confident and happy about his own sexuality might feel with gaining a raging boner over a professional wrestling shoot while having a fat man’s drooling head draped across his loins might be. But…I appreciate the comedy in this Joseph, so please…

He angles the phone toward his swollen crotch poking the morbidly obese man in the face.

Fly: …this is called sacrificing for your art. @instafly.



Palaver

Joey didn’t know why he was back here. It was as if the place had been calling out to him as a place offering sanctuary for all the sins and troubles that weighed him down. He began once more his pilgrimage through the Mojave Desert. He stepped forward into the arid wasteland that contained his quarry, this was the only thing that could clear his mind, he needed this. He needed the thrill of the chase, the thrill of the hunt. There was only one thing that could help him figure his life out, figure his future out; he needed to find out who HE was.

This was no hunt; this was no search and destroy. Dune was not his target, last time he came here he wanted to learn more about Dune, what he found was the most imposing powerful man with the wisest and most learned mind he had ever found himself face to face with. This made him more excited than he could even express. The same level of excitement as he had dread and fear of what was the future for his life with Alessandra. This was no hunt; he had been lying to himself. This was nothing but a soul searching trip.

The sun had crested below the horizon and only half of its power spread across the Mojave. Flash squinted his eyes as he could just about make out something appearing across the horizon. He had Déjà vu, for a second he thought it would be a dune buggy coming tearing across the sand toward him containing Dune and Freeman. This time it was no Dune buggy, it was a lone figure. The figure was closer still, was this a mirage? By the time Joey had blinked away the sweat the figure was discernable. A man.

The man was only a hundred feet away now and Joey was able to make him out perfectly even with the solar backdrop. He was dressed immaculately in a grey suit, waistcoat and most oddly completely pristine unscuffed brown shoes. The man stepped toward Joey as if he was floating above the sand; each step seemed to be the stride of three men. He smiled as he approached, his beard framing the smile perfectly.

Man: Welcome!

He was only a few paces away from Joey now, the heat rising from the ground made it look like his very being was shimmering. Joey shielded his eyes and gave no response.

Man: Joseph Malignaggi, Joey Flash, please let me in.

In an instant Joey fell to the ground grasping his head, the crippling pain shuddered throughout his head; it was as if a great army were strafing the walls of a castle for a weak spot. He screamed in pain and writhed on the red hot ground for a moment before the pain completely disappeared and was replaced with a light almost drunken buzz. He struggled to one knee as he found the man right next to him, a big smile plastered across his face.

Man: Oh you’re a keeper.

Joey: Motherfucker…

Joey hopped back to his feet and fired a left hook at the man who simply smiled wider as the punch just seemed to…miss. Flash took a step back and stared wide eyed at the man.

Man: Interesting. How interesting!

Joey: Who the fuck are you?

Man: Quid pro quo Clarice.

The man laughed.

Man: You were betrayed recently weren’t you? It was a loved one wasn’t it? Alex? No, Alessandra…

He smiled.

Man: Pathetic.

Joey stood up filled with rage, he was expecting Dune, Dune was his enemy, his rival, his quarry, but this guy? This guy he would happily kill right here. Joey took a step toward him before the man spoke.

Man: Joseph Malignaggi, Joey Flash, please let me in.

Joey fell to the ground once more his head throbbing with pain ten times that of earlier. If that was a barrage this was a fucking annihilation. He grabbed at his hair trying to stop the pain, deep breaths, deep breaths…then the pain stopped and the drunken buzz returned. Joey tried to stagger to his feet but collapsed on the sand.

Man: You’re REALLY a keeper.

Joey: Who…the fuck are you?

The man smiled once more.

Man: Well done, quid pro quo.

He offers Joey a hand.

Man: Call me Jack.